Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:-

The prisoners in the concentration camps in World War-II had lost faith in the future. Being in the camp, I felt disgusted with the state of affairs and I forced my thoughts to turn to another subject. “Suddenly, I saw myself standing on the platform of a well-lit, warm and pleasant lecture room. In front of me, the attentive audience were seated in comfortable upholstered seats.

I saw myself giving a lecture on hope, optimism, and resilience under difficult circumstances.” Suddenly, all that oppressed me stopped giving me pain and distress. This practice was so impactful that I could succeed in rising above the situation and the sufferings of the moment.”

Identify the correct fact/s related to the stress management technique used by the author in the passage.

(A) Use of images and imagery to deal with stress.

(B) The yogic method of meditation for refocusing of attention.

(C) Procedure to monitor and reduce physiological aspects of stress by providing feedback.

(D) Replacing negative and irrational thoughts with positive and rational ones.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is (A) and (B) only.

Let us analyze the stress management technique described by the author in the passage step-by-step to understand why this option is correct:

1. Analysis of statement (A): "Use of images and imagery to deal with stress."
In the passage, the author explicitly describes imagining a detailed scene: "Suddenly, I saw myself standing on the platform of a well-lit, warm and pleasant lecture room. In front of me, the attentive audience were seated in comfortable upholstered seats. I saw myself giving a lecture on hope, optimism, and resilience...". This is a classic application of visualization or guided imagery, where a person uses positive, calming mental images to cope with a highly stressful environment. Thus, statement (A) is correct and directly supported by the text.

2. Analysis of statement (B): "The yogic method of meditation for refocusing of attention."
The author mentions, "I forced my thoughts to turn to another subject." Actively directing one's attention away from immediate suffering and focusing it on a positive mental construct aligns with meditative practices (such as Dharana/Dhyana in yoga), which involve the intentional control and refocusing of attention to transcend situational suffering. Therefore, statement (B) is also considered a correct descriptor of the cognitive refocusing/meditative effort used by the author.

3. Analysis of statement (C): "Procedure to monitor and reduce physiological aspects of stress by providing feedback."
This statement describes biofeedback. Biofeedback requires monitoring physiological signals (like heart rate or muscle tension) using external instruments and providing feedback to help the individual gain voluntary control over these bodily functions. No such instruments or physiological feedback mechanisms are mentioned or used in the passage. Therefore, statement (C) is incorrect.

4. Analysis of statement (D): "Replacing negative and irrational thoughts with positive and rational ones."
This statement refers to cognitive restructuring or rational emotive therapy. While the author shifts their focus to a pleasant scene, they do not engage in analyzing, challenging, or restructuring irrational beliefs or thoughts systematically. Instead, they use visualization and attention refocusing. Therefore, statement (D) is not the primary technique identified here.

Consequently, only statements (A) and (B) accurately describe the stress management techniques demonstrated in the passage, making (A) and (B) only the correct choice.